Personal Belongings

[GaddonJerome]

Evening everyone,

I cannot seem to find the answer to my question anywhere, but please forgive me if it has been asked before. I am planning to apply to the Forces in about 4-5 weeks and I am curious as to what personal items I should or would be even allowed to bring. Just some very basic things like a knife, multi-tool, some sharpening equipment, maybe an I-pod and some other trivial things. However, from what I have been told, all of your personal belongings are taken from you for Basic Training, and I have had friends whose things (like what I have listed) have gone "missing". Is it wise (or recommended) to bring any of those things? Or will all of it be taken away, defeating the purpose of even trying? I am just looking for some basic guildlines. Thank you all and I look forward to hearing back from you.

Regards,
GJ

 

[GaddonJerome]

Sorry maybe I wasn't very clear. I have not started my application and I am looking for this information before I do. I searched for and did not find any "BMQ tips" thread, however, I did find a thread that talked about the required personal effects (like for hygiene, boot boning etc. etc.), but nothing on the optional which is what I am asking about now. Unfortunately with other things going on in life I need this information before I leave, it's not really something that I can "find out once I get there". Thanks again.

Regards,
GJ

 

[Michael OLeary]

GJ,

be patient, someone who has recently been on their BMQ will be along to explain the current rules for security of personal possessions and what they feel the risk experienced by them and their coursemates was.

 

[2010newbie]

As Alea pointed out, there is a ton of information in these forums regarding personal belongings. In addition, there should be much larger issues that you should be considering about joining the Canadian Forces than whether you can bring a knife and an IPod to BMQ. I don't understand why being allowed to bring these things would prevent you from joining the CF?

Have you reveiwed the CFLRS website? There is a ton of info there as well. http://www.cflrs.forces.gc.ca/menu/pd/ir-ji/index-eng.asp

 

[GaddonJerome]

Again to clarify more, bringing these things (or not) will not effect my resolve to join in any way. There are much larger issues to consider I agree, except I have decided/resolved most of them because I can find people to offer advice or information through other means to make informed decisions on those larger issues. This is the only one that I cannot find information on, or someone who will answer (and I have asked various CF recruiters who always dance around the question). I have been scouring this site and many Forces related sites for the answer, but unless I am blind, I cannot find anything on the subject. Thank you.

GJ

 

[2010newbie]

many Forces related sites for the answer, but unless I am blind, I cannot find anything on the subject. Thank you.

GJ

Did you review the link I posted? If not, here's a quote:

Prohibited articles:
Here is a list of prohibited articles:

1.Fire arms or edged weapons (switch-blade knives, knives with blades longer than 6 inches)
2.Food stuff (fruits, chips, candy, etc.) and drinks
3.Alcoholic beverages
4.Illegal substances (including caffeine concentrate "wake up")
5.Materials with sexual connotation (magazines, photos, DVD, accessories, etc)

Restricted materials:
Here is a list of articles on which there are some particular restrictions:

1.Cellular phones: permitted only after 6:00 pm if permitted by the instructors
2.Laptop computers: permitted only after 6:00 pm if permitted by the instructors
3.Any other electronic equipment for entertainment (IPod, DVD Player): if permitted by the instructors
4.Personal vehicle: unless you have a special permission from the chain of command, you can use your personal vehicle only during the leave weekends, from Friday 6:00 pm until your return on Sunday evening. All other uses are forbidden.

 

[Michael OLeary]

Well, now that we have the quoted article from CFLRS, now we only have to wait for someone who has actually been there recently to offer an experienced based view on whether they found it worthwhile to bring the specific articles the OP mentioned.  And then I can purge the thread of all the opinions and cheapshots from people who simply cannot resist posting even when they don't actually have a clear answer.

Milnet.ca Staff

 

[GaddonJerome]

Thank you very much 2010newbie, thats the most clear and best information I have seen on the subject. I must not have seen that section while I was glancing through.

Regards,
GJ

 

[Nauticus]

Just to add, based on what a friend of mine told me who recently completed BMQ at CFLRC St. Jean, you CAN bring items like a cellphone, iPod, laptop, etc, and you keep them through week 0. At the start of week 1, they WILL take away everything except for the kit issued to you during week 0. Your personal items will be kept BY CFLRC STAFF until week 5, where you will receive them back. You can only use your personal items during specific times (varies depending on the item).

As far as them going missing, it never happened when I went through, and it didn't happen when my friend went through, but I'm sure that risk does exist. If it's worth it to you, it's your prerogative.

Hope this helped.